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MONTANA SNOWPACK REMAINS NEAR AVERAGE AND WELL ABOVE LAST YEAR

Feb 6, 2008

For More Information:
Roy Kaiser, 406-587-6991
Robert Moler, 406-587-6842

Bozeman -- Mountain precipitation was near average in January. Columbia River Basin mountain precipitation was 102 percent of average; Missouri River Basin was 114 percent of average; and Yellowstone River Basin was 103 percent of average.

The first of February is when we should have about 60 to 65 percent of our seasonal snowpack in place. Statewide, mountain snow water contents were 103 percent of average and 130 percent of last year. West of the Continental Divide, snowpack was 104 percent of average and 122 percent of last year. East of the Continental Divide, snowpack was 98 percent of average and 133 percent of last year.

Snow Water Content
River Basin Percent of Average Percent of Last Year January Percent Change
Columbia 103 130 +13
--Kootenai, Montana 119 120 +25
--Kootenay, Canada 95 85 --
--Flathead, Montana 101 121 +18
--Flathead, Canada 109 110 --
--Upper Clark Fork 85 112 +2
--Bitterroot 110 137 -1
--Lower Clark Fork 114 129 +7
Missouri 101 135 +13
--Missouri Headwaters 106 150 +10
----Jefferson 100 134 +7
----Madison 113 166 +11
----Gallatin 107 169 +9
--Missouri Mainstem 91 111 +21
----Headwaters Mainstem 88 107 +19
----Smith-Judith-Musselshell 95 131 +21
----Sun-Teton-Marias 97 108 +17
----Milk 77 89 --
------Bearpaw Mountains 54 74 +36
------Cypress Hills, Canada 95 97 --
St. Mary 97 116 +18
St. Mary & Milk 89 106 +23
Yellowstone 96 136 +2
--Upper Yellowstone 102 144 +4
--Lower Yellowstone 91 129 +2
Statewide 103 130 +12


Assuming normal precipitation across Montana, streamflows are forecast to be near average at 92 percent. Streamflows are forecast to average 89 percent west of the Continental Divide and 93 percent east of the Continental Divide.

For more detailed snow water content, streamflow forecast, and climate data for Montana, visit the NRCS snow survey program website.

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